Fiber support arrangement for a downhole tool and method

Abstract

A fiber support arrangement for a downhole tool includes a tubular; at least one end ring positioning the tubular spaced radially from a downhole tool and lacking contact therewith; and a fiber supported at the tubular and method.

1. A fiber support arrangement for a downhole sand screen comprising:
 a tubular; 
 at least one end ring positioning the tubular spaced radially from the downhole sand screen the tubular lacking contact with the downhole sand screen; and 
 a fiber supported at the tubular, the tubular including a fiber conduit strain transmissively mounted to the tubular and enveloping the fiber. 
 
     
     
       2. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fiber is strain transmissively mounted at the tubular. 
     
     
       3. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the conduit contains between an inside dimension thereof and an outside dimension of the fiber a strain transmissive potting material. 
     
     
       4. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the potting material is epoxy. 
     
     
       5. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one end ring is two end rings. 
     
     
       6. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one end ring includes a pass through for the fiber. 
     
     
       7. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the pass through is sized to pass a conduit and fiber. 
     
     
       8. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fiber is an optic fiber. 
     
     
       9. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one end ring is fixedly attached to a base pipe axially beyond the downhole sand screen. 
     
     
       10. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fiber conduit is mounted by welding. 
     
     
       11. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fiber conduit is mounted by mechanical attachment. 
     
     
       12. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fiber conduit is mounted by adhesive attachment. 
     
     
       13. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fiber conduit is mounted at an inside surface of the tubular. 
     
     
       14. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fiber conduit is mounted at an outside surface of the tubular. 
     
     
       15. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the tubular houses the fiber within a cleft created therein, the cleft being closed after insertion of the fiber. 
     
     
       16. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the cleft is an opening in a material of the tubular, the opening extending about half way through a thickness of the material of the tubular. 
     
     
       17. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the cleft further contains a strain transmissive potting material. 
     
     
       18. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the potting material is epoxy. 
     
     
       19. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the cleft is closed by welding. 
     
     
       20. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the cleft is closed by adhesive affixation. 
     
     
       21. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fiber is disposed within a conduit and the conduit is sandwiched between two layers of the tubular. 
     
     
       22. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the two layers of the tubular are swaged together. 
     
     
       23. A fiber support arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fiber is sensitive to at least one of strain, temperature, pressure, chemical composition, seismic and combinations including at least one of the foregoing.